Rev. Curtis Jennings' Obituary
Rev. James Curtis Jennings, 92, passed away on Monday April 2, 2012, in Longview, Texas, while surrounded by his loving family. The family will receive friends and former parishioners during a visitation at Rader Funeral Home of Longview on Wednesday evening from 5-7 PM. A graveside service will be held at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens in San Angelo, TX on Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 3:30 PM. He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and two sisters, and his first wife, Helen Bagley Jennings.
Curtis was born on March 3, 1920, in Santa Anna, Coleman County, Texas. He was the fifth of six children born to George Washington Jennings and Jessie Myrtle Messer. He graduated from Lake View High School in San Angelo, Texas. Immediately after Pearl Harbor, Curtis signed up with the US Navy Seabees where he proudly served throughout the duration of WWII in the Marshall Islands. Following the war, he received a calling to become a pastor, and he graduated from Azusa Pacific University in California in 1953. Following ordination in the Evangelical Methodist Church, he pastored churches in San Diego, California, Abilene, Texas, and Ventura, California.
Rev. Jennings later attended North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois and pastured Evangelical Covenant Churches in Abilene and Bremerton, Washington. Following retirement, he moved to Longview, Texas. He served as pastor of Harleton United Methodist Church for 24 years, and he retired on March 7, 2010, at the age of 90. Always loving to preach, he served the Hopewell United Methodist Church briefly at the end of his 58 years of devoted Christian service.
Curtis was an active man until the end of his life. He was an avid golfer, world traveler, and metal artist. He stated many times the he preferred to "die…living". And he did.
Curtis is survived by his wife of 12 years, Hazel Jennings; his son, Wayne Jennings of Ft. Worth and his wife Brenda; his daughter, Jeanie McKay of Longview and her husband David; his grandson, Aaron Jennings McKay, and his great grandson, Austin McKay, both of Seattle, Washington. He is also survived by his step-sons, Jerry Edwards of Tifton, Georgia, and Don Edwards of Austin, Texas, as well as their wives and four grandchildren.
Memorials for Rev. Curtis Jennings may be made in his name to the Missionary TECH Team at 25 FRJ Drive, Longview, Texas 75602 www.techteam.org/mtt..
A memorial guestbook may be signed online at www.raderfh.com.
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